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The way Jennifer McLeggan was covered, surrounded and literally protected by Black men is a beautiful example of what we mean when we say/ask/plead "protect Black women". She'd been as strong as she could be and fought as hard as she on her own, for years... https://twitter.com/Blavity/status/1295469560586473472
Black men stood watch outside her door overnight, in shifts, for over a month, after going through regular law enforcement routes netted nothing. They literally had her back.
A friend and I had a convo last week about the contrast between Black women saying "I got it," and "Protect Black women." I explained that the former is usually because we've been shown somewhere along the way we can't rely on the latter.
But "Strong Black Woman" is a used as back-handed compliment (meaning y'all be aight) or straight out insult as often as it's said in genuine praise. Strength developed out of requirement = survival skill.
So to me, calling me a strong Black woman just means you've noticed I'm wearing armor and ready for battle with the whole entire fcking world. Bending without breaking is an evolutionary trait. None of these are universally positive.
Sometimes we need someone else to help take the weight. No matter HOW "strong" or "independent" we are, male presence sends signals, it provides cover. I told y'all about the situation with my family's house in the Bronx. Believe I'm gonna have a Black man with me in person.
So Black women displaying indepence and strength is because we’ve been taught
1. Not to seem needy/greedy
2. That our role is caretaker/healer/unifier/comforter
3. That we’re supposed to magically be able to manage everything the world gives us with grace
1. Not to seem needy/greedy
2. That our role is caretaker/healer/unifier/comforter
3. That we’re supposed to magically be able to manage everything the world gives us with grace
And if/when we DO ask for what we need we’re users, gold diggers, aggressive.
If situations best us and we break down mentally or emotionally we’re crazy.
If we turn to substances we’re statistics.
If we turn to therapy we’re trying to be like white ppl
If situations best us and we break down mentally or emotionally we’re crazy.
If we turn to substances we’re statistics.
If we turn to therapy we’re trying to be like white ppl
But if we NEVER show any of those chinks in the armor, when we finally do it’s “well you always acted like you were good. Why you asking now?”
It’s an impossible loop.
It’s an impossible loop.
And if we say “We’re depleted. We don’t have anything to give/need to keep something for ourselves” we’re either breaking up the Black family/Black community or, apparently, now failing the entire country.
Just.. you see us in struggle, show up. That’s just humanity & compassion
Just.. you see us in struggle, show up. That’s just humanity & compassion
The show of unconditional love for and solidarity with Jennifer McLeggan - in PERSON - may have very well kept her from becomming a hashtag at the hands of her racist and gun enthusiast neighbors. That’s what we mean by “protect Black women.”
